A severe bout of traffic congestion paralysed large parts of Dhaka from early Sunday morning, as a convergence of political gatherings, public examinations, and the first working day of the week placed extraordinary pressure on the city’s already strained road network.
The disruption coincided with events marking the first anniversary of the July–August mass uprising, observed as both a period of mourning and celebration. A student rally organised by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Shahbagh, alongside a separate public assembly near the Central Shaheed Minar by the National Citizens’ Platform (NCP), drew significant crowds. These gatherings, coupled with a cultural programme titled “July Awakening” at Suhrawardy Udyan, led to restricted vehicular movement in key areas.
At the same time, the pressure of the first working day of the week, along with concurrent Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examinations, compounded the situation. The combined effect was prolonged gridlock, slow-moving traffic, and considerable inconvenience for commuters across the capital.
Between 8:30 am and 9:00 am, major thoroughfares including Shyamoli, Kalyanpur, Technical Intersection, and Aminbazar witnessed acute congestion. Passenger demand surged on public transport, with overcrowded buses forcing commuters to jostle for space. At bus stops, scenes of frustration unfolded as office-goers struggled to board already packed vehicles.
Shamim Hossain, a private-sector employee travelling towards Karwan Bazar, described the পরিস্থিতা as “unmanageable,” noting that even boarding a bus was a challenge, let alone estimating arrival times. Meanwhile, CNG driver Alamgir reported that a journey from Technical to Shyamoli, which typically takes around 10 minutes, stretched to nearly 35 minutes due to heavy traffic. Transport workers also indicated that congestion intensified particularly after crossing Aminbazar.
In anticipation of the gatherings, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police issued a public notice outlining traffic diversions across several key intersections. The directive, signed by Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali, urged residents to avoid affected areas and use alternative routes during the events.
The following table summarises key diversion points and recommended routes:
| Location/Intersection | Diversion Instructions |
|---|---|
| Hotel InterContinental Junction | Use Hare Road or Minto Road instead of Shahbagh |
| Katabon Intersection | Divert via Nilkhet/Palashi or Sonargaon Road to Banglamotor |
| Matsya Bhaban Junction | Use Hare Road or High Court route instead of Shahbagh |
| TSC/Raju Sculpture Area | Redirect via Nilkhet or Doel Chattar |
| Shaheed Minar Area | Avoid completely where possible |
| Suhrawardy Udyan Entrances | Avoid during peak hours |
Authorities emphasised that heavy public turnout around Shahbagh, the Shaheed Minar, and Suhrawardy Udyan made normal traffic flow impractical, particularly through the critical Shahbagh crossing. Residents were strongly advised to comply with diversion guidelines to minimise disruption.
Urban planners note that such gridlock reflects deeper structural challenges in Dhaka’s transport management. The overlap of major civic events, examinations, and routine weekday traffic highlights the urgent need for coordinated scheduling and more resilient traffic planning strategies.
Overall, Sunday’s the situation underscores the persistent vulnerability of Dhaka’s transport infrastructure, where even routine pressures—when combined—can bring the city to a near standstill.